Beignets, like other doughnuts, are special treats meant to be eaten while fresh. There are no really good ways to store them that can maintain that “just out of the fryer and covered with powdered sugar” taste. But, if you have leftover beignets and are unable to eat them all right away, we can’t just throw them away.
Beignets will remain good for 2 to 3 days if left in a paper bag at room temperature. They can also be put into an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in a freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Storing Leftover Beignets
Short Term Storage
Even though it is rare for anyone to have leftover beignets because they are simply too good to leave, it does happen occasionally.
- If you plan to finish beignets soon, they are better if left at room temperature in the paper bag that you brought them home in. They will stay good for 2 or 3 days if left that way.
- If you think it will be more than 3 days before you want to eat beignets again, put that paper bag with the beignets in it into the refrigerator for up to a week.
Note: If the bag has gotten torn or compromised in any way, put the beignets into an airtight container and put them into the refrigerator.
Either way, the leftover beignets, after being heated, will need to be shaken again in a bag with powdered sugar before serving because, for some reason, the powdered sugar either melts into the beignets or it just “goes away.”
Longer Term Storage
If you happen to have leftover beignets, either homemade or from any source, and you know that they will not be used within a week, just put them into an airtight container, label them, and put them right into the freezer. The sooner they are frozen, the more like fresh they will be when you take them out. They will stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Here again, any leftover beignets, when heated, will need to be shaken again in a bag containing powdered sugar to replace the powdered sugar that has simply disappeared.
How To Reheat Leftover Beignets
There are two ways to reheat leftover beignets, but only heat the number of beignets that you want to eat right away because they will become hard and will not reheat well a second time.
- Microwave Method- The best and quickest way I have found to reheat leftover beignets is in a microwave for just 10 to 15 seconds and then drop them into a bag or other container into powdered sugar and shake to cover.
- Oven Method- Preheat the oven to 350℉, place the beignets on a baking sheet, and heat them for not more than 5 minutes then drop them into a container of powdered sugar and shake them to cover them with the sugar.
Can You Keep Beignet Dough Overnight?
Once you make beignet dough, it will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. That way, you can have those delicious treats 4 days in a row, unless you eat it all the first day. Be sure to put the dough into an airtight container before storing it in the refrigerator.
When you take it out of the refrigerator to use, let it come to room temperature before dropping it into the hot oil to cook.
To read more about which oils to use, check out my article called The 6 Best Oils for Doughnuts| Advice From a 50-Year Cook.
Can You Cook Beignets In An Air Fryer?
It is very easy to cook beignets in an air fryer. All you have to do is follow these easy steps:
- Preheat the fryer to 350℉.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Brush the beignet dough with butter.
- Cook them until they puff up and turn golden brown, which will take about 6 minutes.
- Remove them from the fryer and drop them into a bag of powdered sugar to coat.
- Serve them immediately.
Should Beignets Be Chewy?
Beignets, when cooked properly, are airy and light, but they are a chewy treat and are best when served with a hot beverage like cafe au lait or hot chocolate.
Final Thoughts
Having grown up within 100 miles of New Orleans, one of my favorite things to do is go to Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter and have cafe au lait and fresh beignets loaded with powdered sugar just waiting to fall down the front of your clothes.
In fact, for a short time back in the 1960s, I lived a very short half block from Cafe Du Monde and went there regularly. Sundays found me having breakfast there before walking to Canal Street to catch a streetcar bound for the Garden District to a Sunday morning church service.
Our family will still drive a hundred miles out of the way when visiting family for a beignet and a walk through the French Quarter. Maybe you will get the chance to experience this wonderful place as well!
Thanks for stoppin’ by!
Jelly Grandma
For more, don’t miss Homemade Beignets Recipe (Similar to Café Du Monde).
Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (bartending), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
Anne wants nothing more than to pass on her extensive knowledge to the next generations, whether that be family or anyone visiting her website, her YouTube channel, or survivalfreedom.com.
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